The Tree of Europe · Person

Peter III of Russia

Russian emperor whose reign lasted only a few months. His admiration for Frederick II changed Russian foreign policy, and his rapid overthrow opened the way for Catherine II to take power.

1728 – 1762EmperorHolstein-Gottorp · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitPortrait of Peter III of RussiaLucas Conrad Pfandzelt · 1761–1762Public domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 21 February 1728 Documented

Death: 17 July 1762 Documented

Role: Emperor

Dynasty: Holstein-Gottorp · ES

Territories: Holstein (ES) · Russia (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Emperor · Russia · Empire Pending review1762–1762Effective rule

Duke · Holstein · Duchy Documented1739–1762Branch ruleDuke of the Gottorp share of Holstein from his father's death in June 1739, initially under guardianship; he governed it from St Petersburg.

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp · ESDocumentedAnna Petrovna of Russia · ESDocumented

Partners

Catherine II of RussiaDocumented

Children

Paul I of Russia

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Peter III of Russia. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1762

RussiaEmperor
View titles and jurisdictions
- Russia · ESEmperor · Effective rule1762–1762
HolsteinDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Holstein · ESDuke · Branch rule · Charles Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorp1739–1762 · Duke of the Gottorp share of Holstein from his father's death in June 1739, initially under guardianship; he governed it from St Petersburg.

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

7 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
21 February 1728
The authority record gives the birth as 1728-02-21.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Peter III., Russland, Zar · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
17 July 1762
The authority record gives the death as 1762-07-17.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Peter III., Russland, Zar · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
The authority record identifies Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp (GND 104193360) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Peter III., Russland, Zar · Relationships: father → GND 104193360
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Anna Petrovna of Russia
The authority record identifies Anna Petrovna of Russia (GND 130852570) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Peter III., Russland, Zar · Relationships: mother → GND 130852570
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Catherine II of Russia
The authority record identifies Catherine II of Russia (GND 118560565) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Peter III., Russland, Zar · Relationships: spouse → GND 118560565
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (1/2 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Emperor · Russia · 1762–1762
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentDocumented
Duke · Holstein · 1739–1762
Duke of the Gottorp share of Holstein from June 1739 until his death in 1762.
Neue Deutsche Biographie · Peter III. · NDB 20 (2001), pp. 226–227 (Harm Klueting). Charles Peter Ulrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and heir to its share of Holstein; ward of his uncle Adolf Frederick. After his death, his wife Empress Catherine II assumed the ducal share and exchanged it for Oldenburg and Delmenhorst through the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo in 1773.Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie · Peter, Herzog von Holstein-Gottorp · ADB 25 (1887), pp. 469–473 (Ferdinand von Krogh). His father Duke Charles Frederick died in June 1739; the eleven-year-old son succeeded as Duke of Gottorp under guardianship and governed Gottorp Holstein from St Petersburg.
Reviewed on 2026-10-20 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Biographical and contextual references (5)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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